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Student-testing bill in peril

Lawmakers search for a fresh start as teachers call for more dramatic action

DENVER – A measure seeking to reduce student testing remains in peril at the Colorado Legislature, with stakeholders searching for a fresh start.

The bipartisan bill had been touted by Gov. John Hickenlooper at a news conference last week, during which Durango schools Superintendent Dan Snowberger traveled to Denver to support the effort. Snowberger led a task force that made recommendations that turned into Senate Bill 215.

It’s possible lawmakers will start from scratch on the issue, after concerns were raised that the legislation doesn’t do enough to ease the burden of testing for students and teachers.

“It’s interesting because I feel like 215 was the midpoint ...” said Sen. Andy Kerr, D-Lakewood, a co-sponsor of the legislation. “It’s difficult when everyone has their own point of view and they’re trying to negotiate the ends and they’re not willing to talk about the middle.”

Teachers have pushed for a broader conversation, including addressing a state mandate that ties teacher evaluations to student assessments. Legislation in 2010 tied 50 percent of a teacher’s evaluation to student assessments and growth. Educators would like to ease that directive, or at least see a five-year timeout.

The Colorado Education Association, a union that represents teachers in Colorado, held a rally at the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, huddled together outside while a light rain-snow mixture fell from an overcast sky.

Several hundred held signs and shouted from the steps of the Capitol, “Testing is not learning.”

“The biggest issue that teachers have today with regard to the classroom is time to teach, time to prepare for their lessons,” said Greg Lawler, a member of the Ridgway School District R-2 board in Southwest Colorado. “The amount of testing that is going on ... it’s just gotten out of control.”

But Snowberger said he is concerned about weighing the debate down with other issues, such as teacher-evaluation reforms.

“If they try to go in and fix every reform that people have heartburn over, it’s going to be a bill that ultimately nothing will occur,” Snowberger told The Durango Herald by phone after the teachers’ rally. “That’s my biggest concern as superintendent. We need some relief.”

Hickenlooper’s office told the Herald on Wednesday that the governor also is concerned about clouding the bill with other education-reform efforts.

“The governor made clear his support for the highest standards in education, the need for statewide assessments and that he does not want the testing debate to be used to roll back the progress we’ve made in educational reform,” said Kathy Green, a spokeswoman for Hickenlooper.

The teachers’ union opposed the first iteration of the measure, calling it “cosmetic changes.” They said the bill “only offers limited concessions.”

Teachers would like to see the Legislature dial back testing requirements to federal minimums at all grade levels, which are slightly less burdensome than current state requirements that include more than two-dozen tests.

Meanwhile, the issue also is overshadowed by fears around national Common Core standards.

“There is enough pressure both federally ... and enough pressure from parents and students and educators, and the rest of Colorado, that we expect this state Legislature to take the lead and make the right changes to benefit our communities and our schools,” said Kerrie Dallman, president of the Colorado Education Association. “If they don’t get it done, a lot of legislators are going to have a very difficult time running for re-election.”

pmarcus@durangoherald.com



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